Cardiorespiratory fitness in children: Evidence for criterion-referenced cut-points

Abstract

IntroductionCriterion-referenced cut-points for field-based cardiorespiratory fitness for children (CRF) are lacking. This study determined: (a) the association between CRF and obesity, (b) the optimal cut-points for low CRF associated with obesity in children, and (c) the association between obesity and peak oxygen uptake () estimated from the 20-m shuttle run test using two different prediction equations.MethodsA total of 8,740 children aged 10.1±1.2 were recruited from 11 sites across Canada. CRF was assessed using 20mSRT reported as running speed at the last completed stage, number of completed laps and predicted , which was estimated at the age by sex level using the Léger et al. and FitnessGram equations. Body mass index and waist circumference z-scores were used to identify obesity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression determined the discriminatory ability of CRF for predicting obesity.Results20mSRT had satisfactory predictive ability to detect obesity estimated by BMI, WC, and BMI and WC combined (area under the curve [AUC]>0.65). The FitnessGram equation (AUC>0.71) presented somewhat higher discriminatory power for obesity than the equation of Léger et al. (AUC>0.67) at most ages. Sensitivity was strong (>70%) for all age- and sex-specific cut-points, with optimal cut-points in 8- to 12-year-olds for obesity identified as 39 mL•kg-1•min-1 (laps: 15; speed: 9.0 km/h) and 41 mL•kg-1•min-1 (laps: 15–17; speed: 9.0 km/h) for girls and boys, respectively.Conclusions20mSRT performance is negatively associated with obesity and CRF cut-points from ROC analyses have good discriminatory power for obesity.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Cut-Points are Related to Body Adiposity Parameters in Latin American Adolescents

“…Our study extended the results of a recent study in 8740 Canadian children aged 8.0–12.9 years that showed a negative association between the 20mSRT and cardiometabolic risk (as assessed by adiposity measures) and that the CRF cut-points from ROC analyses had a good discriminatory power for obesity [9]. In this study, the optimal suggested CRF cut-points for 8- to 12-year-olds were 39 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 and 41 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 for girls and boys, respectively.…”

“…Although physical fitness and body adiposity may be correlated, they are not synonymous and indicate differing disease risks. In youth studies, several authors have shown that those with low levels of adiposity and low CRF are at a greater cardiovascular risk than high-adiposity adolescents with adequate CRF, independent of muscular fitness and body composition [9,10]. Recently, Silva et al [9] found that measurements using the 20-m shuttle run test in Canadian children aged 8–12 years were accurate to classify the sample by indicators of obesity in relation to the level of CRF.…”

“…In youth studies, several authors have shown that those with low levels of adiposity and low CRF are at a greater cardiovascular risk than high-adiposity adolescents with adequate CRF, independent of muscular fitness and body composition [9,10]. Recently, Silva et al [9] found that measurements using the 20-m shuttle run test in Canadian children aged 8–12 years were accurate to classify the sample by indicators of obesity in relation to the level of CRF. In this study, when using sex-specific cut-points, it was found that regardless of the 20mSRT indicator (VO 2 peak, laps, or speed), children with values below the recommendations were more likely to be obese, either by BMI, WC, or both, regardless of factors such as age, screen time, and level of physical activity levels.…”

Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years

“…In 2016, Silva et al published criterion-referenced cut-points for the mCAFT in a small sample of Brazilian youth aged 14-19 years (Silva et al 2016). More recently, criterion-referenced cut-points for CRF using the 20-m shuttle-run test were developed in a larger sample of Canadian children aged 8-12 years (Silva et al 2018). Comprehensive Canadian criterion-referenced cut-points for the mCAFT do not currently exist.…”

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Childhood Claim for Public Health Policies

“…Articles on criterion-referenced cut points for cardiorespiratory fitness in children, 17 sleep patterns, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, insulin resistance, preschool children testing, cognition, arterial stiffness and so many others can be expected in the near future from the authors of this relevant and well-conducted paper.…”